In the days since, the people cleaning up said the storm brought the best of humanity to the historic village.
“Some people would say it brings out the worst in their fellow man, but it can also bring out the very best in our fellow man,” said the Rev. Anthony Cuchens.
Isaias made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane in Destin on Oct. 9, and Santa Rosa County, by some accounts, could be seen as “ground zero” for some of the storm’s worst effects.
Cuchens said Oct. 12 the church had not been fully assessed, but he did not believe any of its buildings suffered major structural damage.
“No trees fell on any building here. So that was a blessing,” Cuchens said.
The congregation is now focused on cleanup and on finding a way to hold services Sunday, Oct. 18, he said.
Cuchens said he sees faith at work in neighbors helping neighbors. He described an account from a church member about a man who lives nowhere near Milton who drove in to check on people he knew in the city, bringing chainsaws and cutting paths through blocked streets along the way.
Cuchens added that the man had been clearing roads since 10 p.m. the night the storm hit and kept working, confirming the people he came to check on were safe.
“It’s about neighbors helping neighbors, and about people stepping up and providing for each other during these times,” he said.
Next door to the church, a limb from a large oak tree came down across the home of Jeffery Stone, running the length of the roof. Stone said the limb left a hole in the master bathroom where daylight peeks through.
Removing the limb will likely take a crane, Stone said. He was quoted $6,000 for removal.
“I have no idea how I’m going to afford $6,000,” Stone said.
Stone is retired and lives on Social Security after losing his job as a toll worker at the Garcon Point Bridge when the tolls were automated. Workers were given two months’ notice, he said, and lost health insurance.
Stone also said the homeowner’s insurance company canceled his policy, citing the age of the roof as the cause. He said he made no policy claims in 35 years and missed no payments.
Stone lived in the house for the past 40 years and did not evacuate. He claims no storm has caused this much damage in the Bagdad community, including Hurricane Dennis, which passed directly over the village.
The power went out at 6:32 p.m., with Stone spending the first part of the storm on his front porch.
“I feel better being outside when these storms make landfall, simply because I can hear,” he said.
After what sounded like tornadoes could be heard, Stone finally retreated into his home by 7 p.m. Within 10 minutes, the limb came down on his roof.
Since then, Stone has stayed within a two-block radius of his home, helping neighbors drag limbs to the road.
His biggest issue following the storm hadn’t been a hole in his roof or no power; it was the sightseers who began driving through the neighborhood.
“They’re impeding recovery,” Stone said. “Put yourself to use. If you were blessed enough to not have damage, you should be helping those who have.”
Volunteers with the Cajun Navy arrived the morning of Oct. 11 with two skid steers and were working across the street. Stone called them heroes and said the crew may help him with tree removal at his house.
“If it weren’t for that branch, I’d have this yard cleaned up, and I’d be out doing clean up for others,” he said.